CDC Researchers Profile 10 Years of E. Coli O157 Outbreaks

[GotGarlic]

CDC Researchers Profile 10 Years of E. Coli O157 Outbreaks | Food Safety News

That “other foods” category shows just how broad the range of foods has become that can transmit the often deadly O157 pathogen. It includes guacamole, pico de gallo, salsa, potato salad, cooking dough, alfalfa sprouts, iceberg lettuce, baked beans, meatballs, steak, green salad, cantaloupe, lamb, green grapes, lime and bean dip, macaroni, Mexican wheat snacks, sandwich, seafood, vegetable-based salad, pepperoni, jerky, and multiple foods and fruits.

Beef was responsible for 78, or 20 percent, of the outbreaks.

 

[taxlady]

That's kinda scary. I wonder what we can do to protect ourselves. Obviously, hand washing and care to avoid cross contamination are important, but I don't think that's enough.

 

[GotGarlic]

Yeah. On the bright side, there are about 5,000 cases per year, out of a population of over 325 million.

 

[danbuter]

Part of this is that Mexico is providing many foods we buy. Their food safety standards aren't quite as good as the USAs. Another hidden secret is that a large percentage of the outbreaks happen with "organic" food. Pesticides and other chemicals are not great, but they prevent e coli outbreaks, as well as other bacterias.

 

[Steve Kroll]

Part of this is that Mexico is providing many foods we buy. Their food safety standards aren't quite as good as the USAs. Another hidden secret is that a large percentage of the outbreaks happen with "organic" food. Pesticides and other chemicals are not great, but they prevent e coli outbreaks, as well as other bacterias.

Sorry, but no. Pesticides do NOT prevent e. coli, nor does it have anything to do with organic farming methods, when done properly (fully composting manure, etc.). Most e. coli contamination in vegetables comes from animal waste runoff or cross contamination. And the majority (but not all) of the outbreaks we've had come from food originating right here in the good ol' USA.

 

[taxlady]

Sorry, but no. Pesticides do NOT prevent e. coli, nor does it have anything to do with organic farming methods, when done properly (fully composting manure, etc.). Most e. coli contamination in vegetables comes from animal waste runoff or cross contamination. And the majority (but not all) of the outbreaks we've had come from food originating right here in the good ol' USA.

Agreed

 

[GotGarlic]

Agreed

Yup.